South African Ministry of Education to launch new subjects in schools by 2025

The South African Department of Basic Education has revealed plans to introduce new subjects for grades 10-12 by 2025. This is reported by The South African.

The aim is to improve students' chances of finding a job after completing their upper secondary school leaving certificate. Among the subjects to be introduced are art and design, office management and hairdressing.

The line ministry said it wanted to focus on giving pupils an education that would prepare them for a future working life. He added, however, that not all students continue their studies after receiving the matriculation certificate.

Department spokesman Elijah Mlanga said the ministry was gradually introducing new subjects.

At the beginning of the year, the Department of Basic Education announced that the science, maths and technology curriculum would soon be revised. They said subjects such as aerospace engineering, coding, robotics and marine engineering could be included.

"We are expanding the curriculum to make sure that students have the opportunity to follow a career path that offers quick employment opportunities. We pay particular attention to skills. We are targeting the fourth industrial revolution," Mlanga said.

In August, The South African newspaper reported that the Department of Basic Education had confirmed its intention to continue making significant changes to the school curriculum in the coming years.

These are mainly related to an attempt to raise the level of maths, science and technology knowledge among students in the country, but equipment and software to support new subjects, including robotics and programming, will also be introduced.

According to the BusinessTech website, responding to written questions from MPs this week, Basic Education Minister Angie Motsekga gave an update on how schools are being supported to implement the strategy.

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